Sitting along the historic National Road, New Market, MD, is a small, historic town fifteen minutes east of Frederick and filled with historic charm.  

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is also considered a top antiques destination in Maryland.

a Historical Marker for East New Market Md Stands by a Street the Sign Details the Towns Origins Role in the American Revolution and War of 1812 and Mentions Dr Anthony Manning Trees and a House Are Visible in the Background on a Sunny Day
Photo Credit: hmbd.org

New Market features a quaint main street lined with shops, historical sites, and several excellent restaurants, making it an ideal destination for a day trip or adventure.

Nicole and I live nearby and consider ourselves locals. We’ve explored nearly all the local attractions and activities.

In this guide, we share everything you need to know to make the most of your visit to New Market, Maryland.

The Complete Guide to New Market, MD

New Market, Maryland - Orientation

New Market is a small town in Frederick County, MD.  It’s located on Route 40 (Old National Pike) between Frederick and Mount Airy, and easily accessible off of I-70 from exits 59 and 62.

In the sections below, you’ll find recommendations for things to do, restaurants, bars, wineries, breweries, and more in New Market.  

Reference this map of the New Market area for a complete view of all our recommendations. 

The History of New Market, MD

New Market dates back to the mid-1700s when it first became a stop along the developing trade route between Frederick and Baltimore. 

According to a Historical Marker downtown, New Market grew as traffic on the National Road increased. Taverns, inns, and other services followed.

a White Historical Marker in New Market Md Reads New Market in the Civil War This Area Was Patrolled by Confederate Troops Under General Fitzhugh Lee During General Robert E Lees 1862 Maryland Invasion a House and Bare Trees Stand Behind the Sign

New Market also saw lots of activity during the Civil War, as both Union and Confederate troops marched through the town on their way to Battles of Monocacy and Gettysburg.

a Large Maroon and White Roadside Sign Reads Historic New Market Antiques Capital of Maryland the Sign Stands on Wooden Posts Among Trees and Blue Sky Marking the Charm of New Market Md As a Notable Destination

More recently, New Market was designated the Antique Capital of Maryland.

Though it’s debatable whether this designation still applies, as many of the antique shops have closed.

The Best Local Place to Stay in New Market: The Strawberry Inn

New Market is a small town with very few places to stay in the town itself.

However, there is one extremely charming, local inn that we recommend:  The Strawberry Inn.

a White Two Story House with Green Shutters a Metal Porch Roof and Patriotic Red White and Blue Bunting Above the Entrance Evokes Classic Charm in New Market Md a Red Car is Partially Visible by Shrubs and a White Picket Fence Lining the Porch

The Strawberry Inn is right in downtown New Market, dates back to the 1800s, and claims to be the longest running guest house in Maryland.

It has a lovely garden, comfy rooms, and is within walking distance to Vintage and The Derby.  

Finding a Hotel Around New Market, MD

There’s a greater selection of hotels, Airbnb, and VRBO rentals if you extend your search beyond New Market to the surrounding area.  Use this map as a guide.

If you are ok staying in the Frederick area west of New Market, there are many more options.  Check out the Best Boutique Hotels in Frederick and The Best Airbnb and Vacation Rentals in Frederick.

Top Things to See and Do in New Market, MD

As mentioned, Nicole and I are locals to New Market.  Below we list our favorite things to do in the area:

  1. Walk Downtown New Market.  The town’s best feature is the historically preserved Main Street.  Check out the shops, restaurants, and bars (see below for specific recommendations)
  2. Antique Shopping.  While far fewer than in years past, New Market still has several antiques shops if that’s your thing.
  3. Tree Trekkers.  This incredible ropes course and zipline adventure park is 8 minutes from New Market.
  4. Adventure Park USA.  A mid-size, family amusement park with rides, mini-golf, go karts, and food options. 
Tree Trekkers Near Frederick Maryland
  1. Local Wineries and Breweries.  See below for several worthy local wineries and breweries around New Market.
  2. Historical Markers.  Downtown has several historical markers and commemorations, many of which are part of the Civil War GeoTrail in Maryland.

Book Tours or Activities Around New Market

Our Favorite Restaurant in New Market: Vintage

As mentioned, we consider ourselves locals to New Market, and there is one restaurant in town we recommend over all the others:  Vintage.

Vintage sits right in the central historic downtown strip of New Market, and is an upscale tavern-style restaurant that serves great drinks, sandwiches, and entrees.

Vintage Restaurant in New Market

You can visit Vintage for a walk-in lunch or make it your evening dinner spot. 

It has a cool, cozy bar (which is where we usually dine, serves lots of local Maryland wines and beers, and offers great cocktails.

a Marble Topped Bar with Hanging Pendant Lights Shelves Stocked with Liquor Bottles and Glassware Behind It in New Market Md a Tv Shows a Sports Event As Several People Sit at the Bar One with a Drink in a Dimly Lit Cozy Atmosphere

Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Bars in New Market

While Vintage is our favorite spot in New Market, there are a few other restaurants, bars, and coffee shops to check out.  

Here are the additional New Market spots we recommend:

the Derby New Market Maryland

The Derby

www.TheDerbyMD.com The Derby is another pub style restauant right in downtown. Great place for lunch, dinner, or just drinks.

a Hexagonal Logo Featuring a Black Street Lamp with a Yellow Glow Above the Stylized Text Prospect Pantry Below a Green Fork and Spoon Cross over Each Other Highlighting New Market Md Along the Lower Right Edge

Prospect Pantry

ProspectPantry.com ProspectPantry is accross the street from Vintage. It's a coffee, breakfast, and lunch spot, with great smoothie bowls and delicious breakfast sandwiches.

a Circular Logo with a Dark Blue Center and Cream Border It Reads 5 West Cafe in Large Script Features a Steaming Coffee Cup and Highlights New Market Md Along with Fresh Roasted Coffee

5 West Cafe

facebook.com/5westnewmarketmd/ This specialty coffee shop is also right downtown. Great for coffee and a treat.

a Black Basket Lined with Checkered Paper Holds Saucy Buffalo Chicken Wings Celery Sticks and Two Cups of Ranch Behind the Basket Are Craft Beer Cans and a Visible Pour Decisions Signserving Up Flavor in New Market Md

Pour Decisions

facebook.com/POURDECISIONSMD/ This is a place people mostly go to drink (ha ha). But they do have pub food!

There are many more dining options in Frederick if you are willing to travel 15 minutes east.

Antique Stores in New Market, MD

If visiting antique stores is your thing, New Market is a great place to spend some time.

Here are some of the best antique shops in New Market.  All are on Main Street:

  1. Robert Esterly Antiques.  Facebook.
  2. Fleshman’s Antiques.  web.
  3. RP Brady Antiques.  TripAdvisor.
  4. Gayla’s.  Facebook.

The Best Wineries Around New Market, MD

Maryland is an up-and-coming winery destination, and the area surrounding New Market has several wineries worth visiting.

Nicole and I love visiting wineries and have visited virtually all of them around New Market (we are also members at many!).  Here are the ones we recommend:

Rows of Grapevines Grow in a Lush Green Vineyard Under a Bright Blue Sky with Scattered Clouds in New Market Md Sunlight Casts Long Shadows from the Vines and Wooden Posts with a Tree Covered Hill and Field in the Background

Hidden Hills Farm and Vineyard

HiddenHillsFarmandVineyard.com Just 10 minutes north of New Market, this lovely horse farm doubles as a winery. Good wines, nice tasting room, and beautiful views.

a Large Red Barn with a Wooden Deck and Outdoor Seating Stands Beside a Tall White Silo Labeled Linganore Winecellars Berrywine in New Market Md the Sunny Scene and Clear Sky Evoke a Peaceful Rural Vineyard Setting

Linganore Winecellars

LinganoreWines.com Linganore is a trailblazer for Maryland wine. A fabulous place to visit, beautiful tasting room, large outdoor area, and lots of events on weekends. Read our detailed Linganore review.

Black Ankle Winery Tasting Area

Black Ankle Vineyards

BlackAnkle.com This is our favorite winery in all of Maryland. About 20 minutes from New Market, but feels a world away. Read our detailed Black Ankle review.

a Hand Holds a Glass of White Wine with 6 Vineyard Etched on It Yellow Flowers and Green Fields in New Market Md Stretch Beyond a Patio While the Sun Sets Behind Low Hills and Scattered Clouds Creating a Warm Tranquil Atmosphere

61 Vineyards

61Vineyard.com Nicole and I have become frequent visitors of this up-and-coming winery. The best place to watch the sunset in the area.

The Best Breweries Around New Market, MD

If you prefer breweries more than wineries, there are several good ones around New Market as well.  

There’s a cluster of breweries in downtown Frederick that you can visit if you travel 15 minutes west.  But below are some breweries in the countryside closer to New Market:

a Black and White Logo for Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm in New Market Md Features Bold Stylized Text with an Illustration of a Barn in the Center Surrounded by Hop Cones and Leaves on Both Sides and at the Bottom

Milkhouse Brewery

MilkhouseBrewery.com A farm brewery 12 minutes from New Market with great views. Delicious beer but light on food.

a Woman with Shoulder Length Hair Sits at a Wooden Picnic Table Outdoors in New Market Md Gazing Toward a Green Field Under a Cloudy Sky Two Plastic Cups of Beer Rest on the Table with Umbrellas and More Tables Visible in the Background

Frey's Brewing Company

FreysBrewing.com Slightly further from Milkhouse, but with a similar farm brewery vibe. Great place to sit outside. Also serves wine, cider, and seltzer.

a Rustic Wooden Sign Displays the Text Stone Silo Brewery in White with the a in Stone Styled As a Roof with a Small Chimney to Resemble a House Set Against a Weathered Rusty Orange Background and Rough Wooden Frame It Captures New Market Md Charm

Stone Silo Brewing

StoneSiloBrewery.com Next to 61 Vineyards, this relatively new place has become extremely popular and for good reason. Great beer and a fabulous place to sit outside with a beer. Read our detailed Stone Silo review.

Outdoor Activity Spotlight: Tree Trekkers

If you have kids (or adults) and are looking for an exciting outdoor activity near New Market, we have a special recommendation:  Tree Trekkers.

Tree Trekkers is a premier ropes course and zipline adventure center that is full of fun.  There are courses with varying degrees of difficulty, so if your group or family enjoys a challenging outdoor thrill, we highly recommend Tree Trekkers.

The Best Golf Courses Around New Market, MD

Frederick County golf is highly underrated, and this includes the area around New Market.  There are multiple fabulous golf courses within 20 minutes of New Market that you can play if golf is your preferred outdoor activity.

I’m a big golfer and have played virtually all the courses in the area.  So here are my personal recommendations:

a Large Wooden Sign Reading Whiskey Creek Golf Club in White Letters with Two Stylized Wheat Stalks Crossing Behind the Text Stands on Grass Beside a Road in New Market Md Trees a Blue Sky with Clouds and Distant Farm Buildings Are in the Background

Whiskey Creek Golf Club

WhiskeyCreekGolf.com One of the best public golf courses in Maryland, this course is 10 minutes from New Market and should be on your Maryland bucket list. Read our Whiskey Creek Golf Club review.

a Stone Wall Displays a Beige Sign with a Green Abstract Golf Ball Logo Above the Words Pb Dye Golf Club in Black Script Bushes Tall Grass and Trees Surround the Sign Near New Market Md the Sky is Overcast

PB Dye Golf Club

PBDyeGolf.com A fun, interesting, and challenging golf course 15 minutes from New Market. Read our PB Dye Golf Club review.

Oval Tan Sign Reading Clustered Spires Frederick Md Featuring Church Spires Silhouettes Hangs from a Metal Bracket on a Stone Pillar in the Background Are Trees Parked White Vans and a Blue Sky with Clouds Near New Market Md

Clustered Spires Golf Course

ClusteredSpiresGolf.com Frederick's main public golf course. A quality course that is only 15 minutes from New Market. Read our Clustered Spires review

Events in New Market, MD

Here are some places to check if there are any events in New Market during your visit:

Town of NewMarket/Events

New Market Events on Facebook

Frequently Asked Questions: New Market MD

New Market is an excellent place for a half-day excursion if you want to mostly visit the historic main street. 

You can visit for up to a long weekend if you want to take in the surrounding wineries, breweries, historical sites, or attractions.

We recommend Vintage as the best restaurant in New Market, Maryland.

In our opinion, The Strawberry Inn, right in downtown New Market, is the best place to stay for visitors.

Yes, there are some excellent attractions for kids and families around New Market.

Check out Tree Trekkers (ropes course and ziplines) and Adventure Park USA.

author avatar
Glenn VanLandingham Travel Writer
Glenn is a travel enthusiast and adventure seeker who lives in Frederick, Maryland, and Bend, Oregon. He and his wife Nicole use EpicBend and EpicFrederick to chronicle their adventures in these amazing places so others can live their best lives in Frederick and Bend.
See Full Bio
Frederick, Maryland Bend, Oregon
social network icon social network icon social network icon social network icon social network icon